About
THE WSOY COMMUNITY Food Drive
WSOY Food Drive is an annual community food drive based in Decatur, IL. We are a volunteer mission dedicated to the belief that no child should go hungry in our community. Our mission is to gather food donations, raise awareness about food insecurity, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors. Through the generous support of volunteers, donors, and sponsors, we can organize this event that brings hope and nourishment to families facing hunger. Join us in making a positive impact and creating a hunger-free community for everyone. Join us on October 3rd, 2025, at the Kroger at Airport Plaza on Route. 36 from 6 am-6 pm for The WSOY Community Food Drive!
Our
Story
The WSOY Community Food Drive began in 2001 as a small, one-day effort organized by WSOY radio and co-creators Brian Byers, Kevin Breheny, and John Skeffington to support a single local food pantry. That first year, the drive collected around 35,000 pounds of food. Fueled by overwhelming community support, the drive quickly grew into one of the Midwest’s largest single-day food initiatives, with participation from schools, businesses, churches, media sponsors, and volunteers. By its 20th year in 2021, the drive had provided more than 24 million pounds of food to over 20 local agencies and had become of the largest one-day food drives in the nation. In 2021, a generous $1 million grant from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation allowed the event to take a three-year hiatus, offering a stable resource cushion for area food programs. On October 4, 2024, the WSOY Community Food Drive returned to address a growing need in the community, raising over $800,000 to help fund local food agencies into 2025. This year, due to cuts to federal funding and increased food prices, the need has reached a record high.
Frequently asked questions
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“CAN I DESIGNATE MY DONATION TO A SPECIFIC CHARITY?”
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If your charity is a food bank or runs a food distribution or feeding program, then yes! However, for donations to other agencies outside of this mission, we ask that you donate directly to those charities. Note: For pledges, we are only able to accept checks written to the United Way C/O The WSOY Community Food Drive.
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“CAN I BE BILLED FOR MY PLEDGE?”
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Yes.
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“IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTABLE?”
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Yes, thanks to a partnership with the United Way of Decatur and Mid Illinois, which is a 501C3.
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“WHAT ITEMS ARE NEEDED?”
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Anything helps, but the agencies have provided a list of items most needed. You can find that list HERE.
“CAN I DONATE PRODUCE OR PERISHABLE/FROZEN FOODS?”
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Perishable food cannot be accepted on location at the WSOY Community Food Drive due to logistical reasons. However, you CAN directly donate those items to the following charities: Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Food Pantry, Northeast Community Fund. Volunteers are available to take your donation. To have your donation counted towards the WSOY Community Food Drive or a School, please weigh the items and report the weight to the WSOY Community Food Drive via the phone bank.
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“CAN I DONATE PET FOOD?”
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The WSOY Community Food Drive is not able to accept pet food for logistical reasons. However, you are welcome to donate pet food to the Northeast Community Fund or a local animal shelter.
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“WHERE DOES THE FOOD GO?”
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All food donations will be split between Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, and the Northeast Community Fund. Any bulk wholesale donations (think “Sam’s Club” size containers) will be donated to The Good Samaritan Inn for their feeding program.
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“WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?”
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All of the funds raised during the WSOY Community Food Drive go towards the purchase of food. Agencies interested in receiving grant funding from the WSOY Community Food Drive must complete a grant application prior to receiving funding. The WSOY Community Food Drive committee then allocates funds based on applications.
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“I DON’T HAVE ANY CHILDREN IN LOCAL SCHOOLS. CAN I STILL CREDIT A SCHOOL?”
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YES! Anyone can credit a school of their choice to help them win cash prizes thanks to our community partners. And thanks to a gift from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, the prize money has been DOUBLED! So now 1st place will get $5000, 2nd place will get $3000, 3rd place will get $2000, 4th place will get $1500, and 5th place will get $1000!
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For any other questions, feel free to reach out at info@wsoyfooddrive.com.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORs
Thanks to our presenting sponsors and community partner, we can ensure that every dollar raised goes to the purchase of food for our local pantries.
Community Partners
Buds and Blooms, Colee’s Corner Drug, Dales Southlake Pharmacy, Decatur Back and Neck, Dynagraphics, First Mid Bank and Insurance Group, Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, Hickory Point Bank, Investment Planners Inc., Jones and Thomas/JT Net, McDonald's McLeod Express, Skeff Distributing, Speed Lube, and WAND-TV
Placesetters
Setting the pace for the WSOY Community Food Drive and ensuring everyone has a place at the table
Bob and Kathy Wiesmann, The Andreas Foundation, The Ballance Foundation, Todd & Jamie Brunner, Black & Company, Bob and Lucy Smith, Brinkoetter Realtors, The Brass Horn, Matt and Natalie Beck, Knights of Columbus Council #577, ProEmp and Associates, All Services Contracting, Darren and Tiffany Reynolds, Concociate, Kevin and Sue Breheny, Romano Co, Peerless Cleaners, Dunn Company, and Air King.